Display package for tapes and the like



United States Patent [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,504,850 4/ l 950 Le rmer 220/60 2,884,155 4/1959 Hanson 220/60 2,931,493 4/1960 Pfohl 206/78(B) 3,171,565 3/1965 Nozette 220/60 3,263,853 8/1966 Smith 220/4 Primary ExaminerWilliam T. Dixson, Jr. Att0meySalvatore G. Militana ABSTRACT: A display package for tapes and the like made of transparent plastic material having a crown shaped receptacle with flanges extending along its edge portions forming an open chamber for receiving an article, slotted portions at the juncture of the flanges and the receptacle. A closure plate having interlocking members received by the slotted portions for enclosing the chamber and locking the closure plate to the receptacle.

Elli/[III]!!! a X 3 111111111 11 1111111111111, IIIIIIIIIIIIIIXIII 1 DISPLAY PACKAGE FOR TAPES AND THE LIKE This invention relates to display packaging and is more particularly directed to a display package which must be mutilated in order to remove the article contained therein.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a display package made of clear plastic in which an article offered for sale is contained and viewable wherein the package must be broken or otherwise mutilated in order to remove the article therefrom.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a transluscent display package having an article containing receptacle which is enclosed by a closure plate that is snapped into position to lock the closure plate and prevent access to the article without mutilating the closure plate.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a display package with an article contained therein wherein slots are provided to permit the insertion of a tool to mutilate or destroy the display package in order to gain access to the article contained in the display package.

With these and other objectsin view, the invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

in the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display package for tapes and the like constructed in accordance with my invention.

HO. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along 2-2 of FIG.' 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the closure plate along.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view showing the locking structure of the display device.

Referring to the drawing wherein like numerals are used to designate similar parts throughout the several views, the numeral refers to a display package constructed in accordance with our invention and consisting of a receptacle portion R and a closure plate C, both of which are made of a transparent rigid plastic material.

The receptacle or cuplike portion R which is molded as unit consists of a raised top wall 20 joined at its edge portions by side and end walls 21 at substantially right angle thereto to form an open chamber 22. Along the free edges of the side and end walls 21 there extends flange portions 23 lying in a plane parallel to that of the top wall portion 20. Along the juncture of the walls 21 and the flange portions 23 there extend a plurality of elongated slotted portions 24 joined together by tabs portions 19.

The chamber 22 formed in the receptacle portion R is enclosed by the closure plateC which consists of a flat body portion 25 of identical size and shape as the opening 26 at the base of the end and side walls 21 in order that the closure plate 25 will fit snugly in the opening 26 without leaving any spaces therebetween. Positioned along the edges of the closure plate 25 is a plurality of locking members L spaced therealong to become aligned with and received by the slotted portions 24 when the closure plate C is snapped'into position. The locking members L extend above the plane of the closure ,plate 25 having a flat inner wall 29 joining a rounded outer wall 27. The latter extends beyond the outer edge 28 of the closure plate 25 to form a locking shoulder 30 that engages the outer surface of the flange portions 23 while the upper portion of the rounded outer wall 27 engages the upper edge of the slotted portion 24. in order to permit the locking of the relatively rigid closure plate C over the opening 26 by interlocking the locking members L in the slots 24, the locking member L at the ends of closure plate C is positioned on either side of the longitudinal center line of the closure plate C while the pair of locking members L on the sides of the plate 25 are symmetrically arranged about the transverse center line thereof. The

slots 24 are similarly arran ed on the receptacle portion R in order that each of the loc ing members L are received by a slot 24 when the closure plate C is locked in position.

In the normal use of our display package 10, the tape or other article desired to be displayed is placed in the receptacle portion R and the closure plate C is snapped in position in the opening 26 to close off the opening 26 and secure the tape within the now inaccessible receptacle portion R. This is accomplished by holding the receptacle portion R upside down with the tape reposing in the chamber 22 in the bottom wall 20. The closure plate 25 is then placed over the opening 26 with the locking members L positioned adjacent to the slots 24. The closure plate 24 is then tilted to permit the pair of locking members L on one side and the nearer locking member L on the end of the-closure member 25 to be inserted into the slots 24 that are aligned therewith. in this position the three non-engaged locking members L will have their rounded surfaces or walls 27 in contact engagement with the inner edges of the flange portions 23 at the opening 26. Pressure is then applied on the closure plate 25 at the position of the three non-engaged locking members L forcing the locking members L to slide inwardly of the flange members 23 and I receive by received by the slots 24 when the locking shoulder 30 engages the inner edge portion ofthe flange 23 to lock the closure plate C in position. The closure plate C now lies in coplanar relation with the flanges 23 and all of the locking members L are received by the slots 24 with the tape or other article being safeguarded by the display device 10 and safely locked within the device 10.

In order to gainaccess to the tape within the locked display device 10, a tool such as a screwdriveris placed in one of the slots 24 adjacent the locking members L and the closure plate C is then pried out of the opening 26. The locking members L will become mutilated or destroyed so that it cannot be reused or placed back over the opening 26. Another manner of gaining access to the article contained in the display package 10 is by fracturing the receptacle R at the tab portions 19 and removing the receptacle portion R from the display device 10. in either instance, the display device 10 is so mutilated that the various parts, that is the closure plate C and receptacle portion R, cannot be returned again to their original interlocked position. Therefore theft of the article contained in our display device 10 is rendered difficult especially when the article in question is small and can readily be placed in ones pocket surreptitiously. The display package 10 is made especially large to prevent its being easily contained in ones pocket or pocketbook.

We claim:

1. A display package comprising a flat wall, side and end walls extending at substantially right angle along said edge portions of said flat wall forming a chamber flange portions extending along the free ends of said side and end walls, said flange portions lying in a plane substantially parallel to that of said flat wall, slotted portions extending along said free ends of said side and end walls, a closure plate and interlocking means mounted on said closure plate and received by said slotted portions whereby upon placing an article in said chamber said closure plate will enclose said chamber and lock said closure plate in position to prevent access to said article.

2. The structure as recited by claim 1 wherein said closure plate having a flat inside wall portion and said interlocking means comprising a member mounted adjacent an edge portion of said closure plate, said member having a flat inner wall portion extending at right angle to inside wall portion of said closure plate, an arcuate outer wall extending from said flat inner wall portion and terminating in a plane lying along said inside wall portion and a shoulder member joining said edge portion of said closure plate and said arcuate outer wall. 

